How you can get involved with this year’s elections

With a local government election due to take place in May this year, the council is seeking various election staff to help the process run smoothly.

The election itself takes place on 5 May 2022, with the count on 6 May 2022 and a number of roles are available to anyone who wants to get involved which are as follows:

Presiding officers
Presiding officers have responsibility for the transportation of the ballot box, completion of prescribed legal paperwork, providing instructions to poll clerks and maintaining the secrecy of the ballot at all times during your appointment.

Poll clerks
Open to anyone aged 18 and over, this role involves providing administrative support to a presiding officer at local polling stations throughout Bridgend County Borough – with some areas opening for three days (3, 4, 5 May 2022). Poll clerks are the first point of contact for electors wishing to vote. You will welcome electors to the polling station, find them on the Electoral Register and issue ballot papers. When working as a poll clerk, council staff do not need to book annual leave, but you must get your line manager’s permission before accepting any appointment.

Count staff
Open to anyone aged 16 and over, this role involves counting votes at the Bridgend Bowls Hall. You will be required to check that ballot papers have been completed correctly by the voter and place the ballot papers into piles for each candidate. Elections may be won or lost by a single vote so accuracy of counting is paramount.

If you are interested in getting involved with any of the above roles, please email electionstaff@bridgend.gov.uk.